Chemainus, British Columbia
All Canadians need reliable and affordable high-speed Internet and mobile connectivity, no matter where they live. The governments of Canada and British Columbia are taking action to improve connectivity for underserved communities.
Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, together with the Honourable George Chow, British Columbia's Minister of Citizens' Services, announced more than $37 million in federal and provincial funding for 14 projects to bring high-speed Internet access to communities across British Columbia. Over 7,500 households will have access to high-speed Internet, of which 1,320 are Indigenous. One project will also provide mobile service to an underserved roadway through Nisga'a Nation lands.
The funding recipients are the Nisga'a Lisims Government, TELUS, Ktunaxa Nation (FlexiNET), CityWest Cable & Telephone Corp., and Kaslo infoNET Society.
The federal and provincial funding commitments made today are part of an existing agreement between the governments of Canada and British Columbia. In March 2022, both governments announced a historic partnership to invest up to $830 million to connect households in all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province to high-speed Internet.
These projects build on the Government of Canada's progress toward ensuring that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100% by 2030, and to improve mobile connectivity across the country. On track to exceed its 2026 target, the federal government will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Canada for everyone.
